Daily Dish: June 6

Since today and tomorrow are the equivalent of Christmas morning here at the BA World Headquarters, Daily Dish takes its usual backseat as we focus our attention to bring you draft coverage like no one else can.

With that said, it was a rather short schedule across the minor leagues Monday, but there were still some highlights.

The all-star squad was announced for the Double-A Texas League, and with that circuit being one of the most prospect-laden, it might be the most star-studded all-star game in the minors this season.

The game will be played June 20 at Ray Winder Field in Little Rock, Ark.

QUICK HITS

• Low Class A Asheville stole six more bases without getting caught last night to raise their season total to 128, which leads the minors. They are somewhat indiscriminate in when they run; however, as they have been caught 56 times which gives them a 70 percent success rate. The Rockies affiliate is lead by Eric Young Jr. who stole his minor league leading 42nd base of the season, which is 12 more then the Yankees Justin Christian who has 30 for Double-A Trenton. Christian is far more efficient; however, as he is 30-for-32 and Young is 42-for-56. The team that is second in the minors in steals is Triple-A Nashville with 103 and the Sounds have been caught 34 times, which gives them a 75 percent success rate . . . It was a bad night for pitching prospects in the low Class A Midwest League. The Angels Stephen Marek, the Twins Eduardo Morlan, the Cardinals Jaime Garcia, the Blue Jays Chi-Hung Cheng and the Reds Philippe Valiquette all threw last night, and none allowed fewer than three runs and none lasted more than six innings. Morlan was the only one to last six innings, but he allowed five earned runs. Valiquette lasted just three innings, and allowed seven runs, though only two were earned . . . Triple-A Pawtucket lefthander Jon Lester had his Saturday scheduled start pushed back to Monday, and the Boston Globe reports the move puts him in line to pitch against the Rangers this weekend. As he has been all season, Lester’s start yesterday was limited to a pitch count, in this case 85. Lester went four scoreless innings, and has allowed just three earned runs in his last 30 innings pitched . . . For the second time this season, the Triple-A Pacific Coast League was a host to a three home run game on Monday. Round Rock outfielder Charlton Jimerson accomplished the feat on May 28, hitting his three home runs in Albuquerque. Yesterday, Tucson was home to the feat, as Sidewinders first baseman Chris Carter hit three out. Carter now has seven homers for the season, and his home runs helped Tucson cruise over Portland, 11-0 . . . Triple-A Tacoma outfielder Adam Jones fell just a triple short of the cycle yesterday, but did manage to reach base in all four of his plate appearances. His chance at the feat was halted by a third inning walk, but Jones’ three-hit day extended a six-game streak in which the outfielder upped his batting average 21 points. During the streak, Jones is 10-for-25, clubbing three doubles and three home runs in six days . . . Pirates catcher Neil Walker continues to come around after missing the first month and a half of the season with wrist surgery. Pittsburgh’s top prospect hit his first home run of the year and added his first triple in high Class A Lynchburg’s 11-9 win against Myrtle Beach on Monday. Shortstop Brian Bixler hit two homers in that game for the Hillcats . . . Astros outfielder Francisco Caraballo came a single shy of the cycle in high Class A Salem’s 9-1 win against Frederick. The 22-year-old Venezuelan is hitting .236-6-24 in 178 at-bats this year.